Are Mammograms Worth It for Women 75 and Older?
It turns out that for the golden‑aged generation, the classic “time for a check‑up” sign might need a new interpretation. A recent study rolled out in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that women aged 75 and up actually don’t gain much from the regular mammograms doctors have been telling them to keep up with.
Why the Question Even Matters
For years, the medical community has had crystal‑clear evidence that starting mammograms at age 50 saves lives. But when’s it time to stop? The big decision moment has been a gray area. Dr. Otis Brawley, a heavyweight from Johns Hopkins, emphasizes that a third of American women who die from breast cancer are identified after age 70, making this a crucial issue.
The U.S. Guideline Landscape
- US Preventive Services Task Force: Says evidence is “insufficient” for women 75+.
- Other groups: Mixed calls, ranging from “keep going” to “stop now.”
Data‑Driven Insight
Dr. Xabier Garcia‑De‑Albeniz and his colleagues dug into Medicare claims, looking at over one million women aged 70‑84 between 2000 and 2008.
- Track record: They had a life expectancy of at least ten years and had never been diagnosed with breast cancer before the study.
- Age 70‑74 group: Benefits outweighed the risks. But, as is always the case, watch out for overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and those moments of “What if?” anxiety.
- Age 75‑84 group: Screening didn’t do much to lower breast‑cancer death risk. The big guess? By the time women hit 75, chances of succumbing to heart disease or the mysteries of dementia outstrip the odds of catching breast cancer.
Impact: 52% Still on the Mammogram Train
Despite the yearly pull‑back on the science side, more than half of U.S. women over 75 are still getting routine mammograms. Dr. Garcia‑De‑Albeniz notes that this trend might feel a little like “getting a parking ticket you know is actually a good thing for your future.”
What’s Next?
Brawley warns that the road to definitive evidence will be tough—conducting a clinical trial on withholding a beloved test seems outright unethical. Instead, the field moves toward understanding breast cancer in older women more deeply and refining treatments that fit the age profile.
In the meantime, if you’re 75+ and thinking about a mammogram, consider: what’s the goal? Who’s doing what? And how do you balance thoughts on longevity versus the stress of a potential diagnosis? Sometimes, the answer is “maybe not.” Or, maybe, if you’re fine with the extra check‑up and the peace of mind it brings, go on. But let’s treat this decision like the money we might be saving, or the extra years we could genuinely enjoy.
